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Injury prevention counseling opportunities in pediatric otolaryngology
1Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, USA.
Insights
Pediatric otolaryngology practices present significant injury prevention counseling opportunities. Approximately 90% of families with children seen by specialists have at least one unmet need, often related to safe water temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Public Health
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Pediatric otolaryngology practices encounter numerous children with potential injury risks.
- Effective injury prevention counseling is crucial for child safety and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of injury prevention counseling opportunities within pediatric otolaryngology referrals.
- To identify specific areas where counseling is most needed.
Main Methods:
- A caregiver questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 300 families at a hospital-based pediatric otolaryngology clinic.
- Counseling opportunities were defined by factors like water temperature knowledge, smoke exposure, smoke detectors, and seat/helmet use.
Main Results:
- 72% of caregivers were unaware of safe hot water temperatures.
- 25% of households had smokers, 22% of children lacked bicycle helmets, 11% lacked car/seat belts, and 10% had inadequate smoke detectors.
- Despite 98% having a pediatrician, 91% of families presented at least one counseling opportunity.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric otolaryngology settings offer substantial opportunities for injury prevention counseling.
- Nearly all families (90%) have at least one area for counseling, frequently concerning safe water heating.
- Integrating injury prevention into routine otolaryngology visits can improve child safety outcomes.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of injury prevention counseling opportunities in children referred to a pediatric otolaryngologist.
Design:
A caregiver questionnaire was administered during office registration.
Setting:
Hospital-based pediatric otolaryngology practice in a metropolitan area.
Patients:
Random sample of 300 caregiver questionnaires stratified by the age of the child.
Main Outcome Measures:
Prevention counseling opportunities, defined as ignorance of hottest water temperature, child exposure to passive smoke, missing smoke detectors on one or more floors in the home, or failure to use a seat belt or bicycle helmet.
Results:
The hottest water temperature was unknown by 72% of the caregivers, smokers were present in 25% of the households, bicycle helmets were not used by 22% of the children, car seats or seat belts were not used by 11% of the children, and 10% of the homes did not have a working smoke alarm on each floor. Older children were significantly less likely to use a seat belt than were younger children. Although 98% of the caregivers had a regular pediatrician, 91% of the families still offered one or more counseling opportunities (95% confidence interval, 87% to 94%).
Conclusions:
Substantial opportunities exist for injury prevention counseling in pediatric otolaryngology. At least one opportunity for counseling is present for about 90% of the families, most often concerning the maximum safe hot water temperature.